WASHINGTON - A 51-year-old government contractor with access to highly classified information was charged with stealing sensitive documents and other digital information.

Harold Thomas Martin III, 51, of Glen Burnie, Md., was formally charged with theft of government property and unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials, according to court documents unsealed Wednesday.

The contractor’s affiliation was not identified in court documents, but a federal law enforcement official said that he worked with the National Security Agency. The official is not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.

He was arrested Aug. 27, following a search of his home and two storage sheds.